By Levy Masiteng
TymeBank, majority-owned by African Rainbow Capital (ARC) – the investment group founded by South African businessman Patrice Motsepe – has partnered with the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) to launch a branded debit card that also functions as a church membership card.
The Zion City Moria (ZCM) Membership Card was launched at a ceremony at Moria, in Limpopo, the spiritual home of the ZCC.
ARC said the card will be recognised as a ZCC membership card and is linked to a fully KYC-compliant (Know Your Customer) bank account, with customers able to complete the FICA onboarding process at ZCM-branded portable kiosks in communities.
The bank says the process is paperless and takes about five minutes, and includes low transactional fees and interest on savings with no withdrawal notice period.
“Cardholders will also enjoy double Pick n Pay Smart Shopper points when shopping at Pick n Pay stores, rewards on purchases made elsewhere, and zero-rated data when using the TymeBank app and internet banking,” the bank said.
Additional benefits include security access control, with onboarding supported by Zetnet-appointed agents. ARC said Zetnet Mobile is owned by the church.
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ARC estimated the ZCC has about 12 million members across Southern Africa — around nine million in South Africa, including about six million adults — and said roughly four million people travel to Moria annually for the church’s pilgrimage. While those figures are widely cited in reporting, estimates have varied over time.
TymeBank CEO Tauriq Keraan said the partnership demonstrated the strength and scalability of the bank’s digital-first model.
“This exciting partnership between TymeBank and the ZCC reaffirms the strength of our business model and technology, which allows us to scale quickly and at low cost by partnering with organisations that have strong existing relationships with customers,” said Keraan.
He said that the collaboration was about more than just rapid growth.
“Our partnership with the ZCC will not only bring us a step change in customer acquisition growth but, importantly, will also result in high levels of account utilisation due to the strong affinity between the ZCC and its members.”
“Most importantly, our banking proposition is one that resonates well with ZCC members, from low fees and high savings rates to the convenience of onboarding in community.”
Edward Lekganyane, Head of the ZCM Membership Card Programme for the ZCC, said the church viewed the partnership as an extension of its long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of its members.
“The ZCC has always taken the wellbeing of its members very seriously,” he said.
“Partnering with a bank that can offer cost-effective banking solutions means we are able to help look after the financial well-being of our members. A key benefit is that the bank will come to our congregants, and customers will be supported by our own people.”
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Initially, ARC said cardholders would be able to deposit and withdraw cash at Pick n Pay and Boxer till points nationwide, as well as at ATMs.
“Hundreds of thousands of ZCC members will become part of the South African banking and financial services industry, enabling them and their families to participate in and benefit from the economy,” Motsepe said.
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